Baseball legend Rose to help coach independent league team for one game

The Pantagraph, Bloomington, Ill

Pete Rose returning to baseball field — for one night.

NORMAL - The Normal CornBelters baseball team announced Monday that baseball legend Pete Rose will join the coaching staff for the July 9 home game against the Schaumburg Boomers.

The game that day will begin at 6:35 p.m. with the gates opening at an hour earlier at the Corn Crib in Normal, the team said in a press release.

The Belters open the new Frontier League season at 6:35 p.m. May 19 at home against the Gateway Grizzlies.

Rose, the former Cincinnati Reds star, will wear number "14" for the CornBelters that night. The complete details of the night, including the possibility of special promotion opportunities, will come at a later date, said the team. Sponsorship opportunities for the night are also available.

"I remember meeting Pete Rose back in 1978 when I was playing at Florida State," said CornBelters manager Brooks Carey. "He's larger than life and epitomizes what a baseball player is. It will be a thrill for everyone at the stadium that night."

Rose, who has been denied election to the Hall of Fame, remains the Major League leader in games played, hits, at-bats and singles.

Individual tickets for the Belters season are currently on sale, starting at $6 for lawn seats, $8 for bleacher tickets and $12 for box seats. To purchase tickets, or for more information, contact the CornBelters at 309-454-2255, stop by the Mid-Illini Credit Union Box Office at The Corn Crib, or visit http://www.normalbaseball.com.